Data on demand

Abstract

© Authors.

This special issue of Global Media & China critically examines the current fascination with indexing, mapping, ranking and metrics worldwide as they apply to nations, regions, municipalities, publications and even citizens. We now live in age of information abundance. This abundance has in turn generated enthusiasm for increasing scrutiny of data, big and small. Many questions therefore arise: how valid is the measurement? Who benefits from the accumulation of data? And in this age of constant evaluation, is there any way for individuals to avoid their performance being ranked, their web browsing history monitored and their daily movements subject to surveillance?